Resisting Sin: Is Temptation a Friend or Foe?
“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes” Mathew 18: 7!
To read this passage for context, click here.
Resisting Sin: Temptation Necessary
This verse tells us temptation is necessary.
But why? Why do we need to struggle and resist and exert ourselves so much?
I believe the reason is that’s how we gain strength or endurance in righteousness. And ultimately become complete or mature (James 1: 2-4).
And in order to become mature we need to resist temptation.
If we we’re never tempted, we would never gain strength. Because we become strong by resisting temptation.
This is the same idea as resistance training with weights. The more weight you lift, the more resistance you provide your muscles, and the stronger you become.
And strength or endurance in every temptation makes us complete.
Of course, the things that cause us to be tempted are also the things that make us weak and corrupt. If we yield to them.
Why Is Resisting Sin Necessary?
Temptation can be our best friend, or worst enemy. How we respond is the determining factor.
But for those of us who love God, temptation works for our good (Romans 8: 28). Because those who love God will resist it. They will gain endurance in doing what’s right and become mature and complete.
That’s not to say if we love God we will never struggle with sin. But the key is we won’t REMAIN in it. We will repent, which means to change our mind about it.
We will see it the way God does and agree with His assessment of it. We won’t excuse, justify and rationalize it.
Jesus said “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”John 14: 15.
Being mature and complete is God’s ultimate goal for every believer. Because that’s how we glorify Him.
Jesus said “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” John 15: 8.
According to Galatians 5: 22, fruit is love. To be mature and complete is simply to walk in love.
This glorifies God because He is love (1 John 4: 8). And walking in love reflects His nature.
When Our Character Lacks Nothing, Our Lives Lack Nothing
Also, because when our character lacks nothing (we’re mature and complete), our lives lack nothing (Psalm 84: 11).
And when God’s children are blessed in every way, that also reveals God’s nature of love.
As mentioned, in the same way that physical resistance builds muscles or strength, resisting temptation builds strength or endurance in doing what’s right.
Temptation is necessary because without it we would never become mature and glorify God.
Temptation Itself Is Neutral: It’s All in the Response
Temptation is how we become weak, corrupt and wicked. If we yield to it.
Temptation is also how we become strong, mature and complete. If we resist it.
This is why Adam and Eve had to be tempted (Genesis 3: 1-7).
There’s just no other way to learn to walk in love and wisdom and glorify God.
That’s why God had to take the chance and allow them to face temptation.
This is also why the Israelites had to go through the wilderness (Exodus 15-18).
In order for them to get to their promise land, that place of abundant provision, they had to be mature and complete.
And how was God going to accomplish that?
In the wilderness, of course. Where they were tempted at every turn to lose their faith in God’s promise to them (Exodus 3:8).
And this is why Jesus was tempted too (Luke 4: 1-13).
Adam and Eve and the Israelites did not use temptation to their advantage. Or for God’s glory.
Jesus Used Temptation to His Advantage
But Jesus did.
Hebrews 2: 10 tells us “it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering”.
Jesus never sinned. But being sinless is not the same as being perfect. A small child is sinless. They don’t have a guilty conscience. They are innocent.
But they’re not perfect or mature.
Being perfect means being mature and complete. And walking in love and wisdom.
Jesus was always sinless, but not always perfect. Otherwise, He would not have needed to suffer.
And He didn’t become perfect, or mature and complete until He resisted temptation. Just like the rest of us.
To read another post related to Resisting Sin: Is Temptation a Friend or Foe? See Trusting God No Matter What: Surprising Benefits.
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